Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars™

Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars™

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Instaling Mods
By LoneEagle257
A simple guide to instaling mods for Command and Conquer 3.
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Introduction
One of the things I`ve discovered over the years is that the majority of mods are instaled in the same way for a specific game (in this case C&C3.) For those new to modding; I`ll try and make things as easy as possible.

Now you`ve probably heard that if you mod a game you should back up the files. I`m glad to say that with C&C3 you don`t need to waste the space (unless the "ReadMe" of the mod you`re instaling says otherwise, in which case 'yes' you should back up the files.) You should not be going into the actual game files that make everything run, rather the ones that hold saved items. Even then you`ll just be looking at them, not editing them.

For those who have more experiance or (like myself) have modded this game before purchasing it on Steam; you would follow 'normal' proceedure by following the steps of the "ReadMe" file that usually comes with a mod. However, there is one crucial step that must be done on Steam or you`ll just get the default game. Skip to "Step 3: Steam UI."
Step 1: Locating the Mod
After you`ve found the mod you want to instal and downloaded it you`ll need to bring it up in the "explorer" or file browser.

The quickest way to do this is to the "Downloads" tab on your web browser and selectining the mod file.

If your web browser doesn`t have this feature or you can`t find it you`ll need to open the file browser by going to the Start menu and clicking on the "Computer" link (or the "File" icon for Windows 8 users.) Once the broswer comes up there should be a file called "Downloads" in the upper right corner of the file browser. (This is typically under "Favorites.") Click on it, find the mod`s file, and open it.

After you`ve opened the mod file there should be two items: a "ReadMe" text file, and a folder with your mods name. If the "ReadMe" is not present try opening the folder, it should be in there. If it is still not present then return to this guide and I`ll do my best to walk you through.

Open the "ReadMe" and look through its contents, specifically the instalation guide. Make sure that you don`t need to edit any files in the actual game itself.

If on the off chance that you do you`ll need to go to the games files. This is found at: Computer/Local Disk(C:)/Program Files (Program Files (x86) if you have it)/ Steam/SteamApps/Common/Command and Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars
Follow the "ReadMe" instructions to the letter and make sure to back up any files it tells you to moddify.


Step 2: Installation
After you`ve looked over the "ReadMe" the steps should be relatively the same. However, the "ReadMe" typically assumes that you`ve done this before. If you do decide to follow the ReadMe instructions instead of this guide, that`s fine, but come back here and read Step 3 and 4 after you`re done.

Now we need to instal the mod. I recommend that you open another file browser, to make things a bit more simpler. Go to "Documents" and find the folder called "Command and Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars" and open it.

Once inside there should be two folders: "Replays" and "Mods." If the mods folder is not present, create one. Call it "mods", without quotations.

Now go back to the other file browser that currently has your mod up, make sure that the mod folder and "ReadMe" file are visible (unless the "ReadMe" was in the mod folder, in which case it shouldn`t be visible.) Copy and paste the mod folder into the "mods" folder you just created.

Wait for the tranfer to finish. You may check the mod folder to make sure everything was transfered if you wish.

Step 3: Steam UI
Now that the mod is instaled the hard work is over. However, you`re not out of it just yet.

You will now need to go into your Steam library and set a launch option otherwise everything you`ve done will be for nothing.

As stated before; go into your Steam Library and find C&C3. Right-click on the game title and click on "Properties."

A seperate menu will come up. There will be a bar near the bottom that says "Set Launch Options...", click on it.

Another window will come up. Type "-ui" in it, without quotations then press "OK."

You may now close out the "Properties" window.

Launch the game.
Step 4: C&C3 UI
After you launch the game instead of going straight into it a window should pop up. This is the offical game User Interface.

Select "Game Browser."

Another window will come up. On it you will see two tabs marked "Replays" and "Mods." Select Mods and click on the mod you instaled. Once selected click "Launch Game."

Now note that because the game is now modded, it may take a bit longer for it to launch, so have paitence. You may need to change a few visual options in game depending if the mod changes the graphics.

Typicall mods don`t change the main menu, so the best way to see if your work has paid off is to start a skirmish and see if the changes have been made.

If you wish to play the unmodded version of the game all you have to do is hit play on the menu after you launch the game.

Good luck out there commander, and have some fun with the new toys.
24 Comments
Midori 24 Nov @ 7:33pm 
The mods used to work in steam before but since steam updated everything has changed and no mod works now. when you click properties and in launch options you can only choose to run the game or run the world builder there is no option to add the -UI. There is a line at the bottom for addition commands and I tried all of them to no luck.
Death 3 Jun @ 1:35pm 
@Markonitar yea i got the same problem, it work fine last night and now it's happening.
Markonitar 21 Nov, 2023 @ 5:31am 
so, i made all the steps for doing it and the only think i have the problem with is when to click on the Game Browser its crashes the Hud, anyone has the same?
Patrom(Pat2) 1 Apr, 2023 @ 7:38pm 
so I tried this and no luck... I have it to a custom folder, but believe I *should* have the directory right? the main one the game is installed to, since there is nothing under my documents.

I've tried both adding Mods to the actual steam installation path, as well as to Appdata path and no luck with either
harmlessratz 30 Sep, 2022 @ 3:22am 
for those that cant find the Appdata folder, its usually "hidden" by default
midori 27 Aug, 2022 @ 11:08am 
@dogman mcjelly, on steam just go on the game's properties and write "-ui" on the launch parameters.
Dogman McJelly 29 May, 2022 @ 12:02am 
there is no option for me to add -ui. is there another way to launch the browser?
EraFight 1 Apr, 2022 @ 9:27am 
for all of you who still not have the folder in ducuments:
normaly it should create a folder after the first normal game (with out mods) if this doesn't work try this: start the game with out mods start a normal game finish it but before dont just leave the statistics menu! When you have the are in the statistics there is a button "save replay". When you saved your replay there should be a "Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars" folder or a "Red Alert 3" folder. This should work for both games!
Master_Slater_Guy 26 Mar, 2022 @ 4:51am 
Don't know if I'm too late on this... for me at least, I notice it gets created after starting up the default game and starting a skirmish and ending it really quick. This creates the folders, Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars\Replays in documents, thus allowing you to then create that mods folder
nik 24 Jan, 2021 @ 2:29pm 
The problem here is that Everyones not finding the Command and conquer 3 folder in documents

OP help us